MARION, Alabama -- I've often said that our Baptist way of finding a pastor is the worst system in the world. We elect a committee to go and steal someone else's pastor, and then they elect a committee to steal someone else's and on and on it goes without ever reaching equilibrium--perpetual motion, as it were!

A pastor search committee showed up once at a service unannounced and asked to speak to me afterwards. We met for 45 minutes or so. I thought it odd that they didn't offer to take me and my wife to lunch, but then it began to make more sense to me as we talked. They were obviously interested in saving every nickel possible. The chairman said to me as they left, "Michael, if we decide you should be our pastor, we'll call you. If not, we won't phone you. That way we'll save the church the cost of a long-distance call."

I never heard from them again so I don't know what they did with the 35 cents they saved in not phoning me.

Since I've been involved in the Ministering to Ministers organization I've heard stories of greater indignities than this one. Yes, sometimes ministers do some dumb things that create angst in the congregation. I saw a sign lately in an antique shop that read "Bad choices make good stories." True enough! I have quite a collection of illustrations from dumb things I've done.

But congregations should realize every minister is human. Only God and his word are infallible--no human being is. I sometimes joke that the perfect pastor comes only with the perfect church--a matched set!

Congregations also should recognize ministers are human beings with physical needs.

Once, my shopping cart almost collided with another in a local grocery store as we came around a blind corner. The church member facing me stared for a few seconds. "Why, preacher," she said, obviously surprised. "I guess you do have to buy groceries!"

I suppose she believed the Lord rained down manna in our backyard and we didn't have to send out for food!

Michael Brooks

Most pastors I know work very hard for little material gain. Money isn't their goal in life, but it does take money to live. Congregations should take a hard look at their compensation packages and determine if they're obeying the scriptural mandate that "they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14).

Pastor Appreciation Month is a good time to say "thank you" to your minister and his family. And a good time to take a fresh look at how we care for those called of God to instruct and serve his people.

Michael J. Brooks is professor of communications and assistant to the president for public relations at Judson College in Marion, Ala. He can be reached at: 334-683-5160, mbrooks@judson.edu.